Volunteer Fire Protection Association Workers’ Compensation Insurance Grant Program

Department of Public Safety Missouri State Fire Marshal seal

Welcome to the Volunteer Fire Protection Association (VFPA) Worker’s Compensation Insurance (WCI) Grant Program!

In 2016, Missouri law was revised through the enactment of SCS SB613 to enable the Division of Fire Safety to provide grants to eligible Volunteer Fire Protection Associations (VFPAs) to fund the Workers’ Compensation Insurance (WCI) premiums paid to cover their volunteer firefighters, when funding is available. The distribution of funds for this program is governed by RsMO 287.245.

Statute 287.245

Under the program, eligible VFPA agencies may apply to the Division of Fire Safety (DFS) for up to $2000.00 in funding to offset or defray the cost of their WCI premiums. The amount of funding available to an eligible agency is based upon the number of Workers’ Compensation Insurance claims in the previous calendar year and the actual cost of the WCI premium.

When funding is available, the grant award schedule shall be as follows:

  • Associations with 0-5 claims shall be eligible for up to $2,000.
  • Associations with 6-10 claims shall be eligible for up to $1,500.
  • Associations with 11-15 claims shall be eligible for up to $1,000.
  • Associations with 16-20 claims shall be eligible for up to $500.

Funding has been made available in the FY 2025 budget appropriation for applications to be received and approved for agencies which meet the eligibility requirements of this grant. Funding will be provided on a first come, first serve basis while funds are available. The funding eligibility criteria and requirements, as defined by statute, are listed below.

  • Agencies that receive direct funding from tax revenues are NOT eligible for this grant program.
  • Agency must be a Volunteer Fire Protection Association, as defined in 320.300 RSMo
  • Agency must have a Fire Department Identification Number (FDID) and an approved, up-to-date, Fire Department Registration, as defined in 320.271 RSMo. Agency registration status and FDID verification can be found HERE.
  • Agency must have a Vendor Identification Number with the Missouri Office of Administration (click HERE for Vendor Input Application)
  • Agency must provide documentation from their Workers’ Compensation Insurance (WCI) carrier of the number of individuals who received WCI benefits (number of claims) in the previous calendar year.
  • Agency must provide a copy of the most recent paid receipt from your WCI carrier for the WCI policy premiums.

Once an agency meets all grant eligibility requirements, and all pertinent documentation is collected, they may apply by completing the online application by clicking HERE.

Once the application is received by the Division of Fire Safety, it will be reviewed for completeness and compliance prior to approval. VFPA agencies which successfully meet all grant program requirements will be approved and processed for payment. Any VFPA agency application which does not meet all grant program requirements at the time of submission will be contacted by the Division of Fire Safety to resolve any issues.

If you have questions about workers’ compensation grants, please contact the Division of Fire Safety and ask to speak with Statewide Fire Mutual Aid Coordinator Joshua Couture.

Joshua Couture | Statewide Fire Mutual Aid Coordinator

Phone | (573) 751-1601

Email | joshua.couture@dfs.dps.mo.gov